# std::reverse_iterator<Iter>::operator*,->

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< cpp‎ | iterator‎ | reverse iterator

reference operator*() const; | (1) | (constexpr since C++17)
| (2) |
pointer operator->() const; |  | (constexpr since C++17) (until C++20)
constexpr pointer operator->() const requires (std::is_pointer_v<Iter> || requires (const Iter i) { i.operator->(); }); |  | (since C++20)

Returns a reference or pointer to the element previous to `current`.

Member function | Equivalent to
--- | ---
operator* | Iter tmp =`` `current`; return *--tmp;
operator-> |
return &(operator*()); | (until C++11)
return std::addressof(operator*()); | (since C++11) (until C++20)
return`` `current``` - 1; if `Iter` is a pointer type return std::prev(`current`).operator->(); otherwise | (since C++20)

### Return value

As described above.

### Example

Run this code

    #include <complex>
    #include <iostream>
    #include <iterator>
    #include <vector>

    int main()
    {
        using RI0 = std::reverse_iterator<int*>;
        int a[]{0, 1, 2, 3};
        RI0 r0{std::rbegin(a)};
        std::cout << "*r0 = " << *r0 << '\n';
        *r0 = 42;
        std::cout << "a[3] = " << a[3] << '\n';

        using RI1 = std::reverse_iterator<std::vector<int>::iterator>;
        std::vector<int> vi{0, 1, 2, 3};
        RI1 r1{vi.rend() - 2};
        std::cout << "*r1 = " << *r1 << '\n';

        using RI2 = std::reverse_iterator<std::vector<std::complex<double>>::iterator>;
        std::vector<std::complex<double>> vc{{1, 2}, {3, 4}, {5, 6}, {7, 8}};
        RI2 r2{vc.rbegin() + 1};
        std::cout << "vc[2] = (" << r2->real() << ',' << r2->imag() << ")\n";
    }

Output:

    *r0 = 3
    a[3] = 42
    *r1 = 1
    vc[2] = (5,6)

### Defect reports

The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.

DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior
--- | --- | --- | ---
LWG 2188 | C++11 | operator-> used `&` to take address | uses std::addressof instead

### See also

operator[] | accesses an element by index (public member function)

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